Jelena Dokic reveals dark truth behind photo from her teenage days

Jelena Dokic detailed the horrifying truth behind a simple photo that was taken during the US Open when she was only a teenager.

Jelena Dokic has revealed the dark truth hidden behind a photo taken when she was only a teenager at the US Open.

The former Aussie tennis star uploaded a post to her personal Instagram account of herself looking distraught as she fronted the media.

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The 40-year-old has never shied away from talking about her upbringing and the horror instilled on her at the hands of her father Damir.

Her latest post is a horrifically eye-opening revelation into what she was put through throughout her younger years.

“I chose this picture for a reason. Young, 17 years old, in a media storm, beaten unconsciously by my father only a few weeks earlier, trying so hard not to break down in the press conference,” she explained.

“Dealing with my father’s public and drunken outbursts while the world judges me and the media has plenty of headlines.

The photo which hid the dark truth. Pic: Instagram

“Only a few years earlier, grew up in poverty, had no food on the table, had no clothes, was a refugee twice, bullied, isolated, faced racism.

“What followed only a few years later after this image was taken was that I almost committed suicide.

“Sad, broken, alone, in pain and deeply traumatised.

“It’s made me who I am today and I am proud of that.”

Dokic has received widespread praise for opening up about her mental health struggles and the trauma she endured.

“Behind every strong, brave and independent woman lies a broken little girl who had to learn how to get back up and to never depend on anyone,” she continued.

“Behind every strong woman is a story that gave her no other choice but to be strong.

“And behind every courageous woman are days when she was alone, broken, crying endlessly and where she has been helpless.”

Jelena Dokic & father Damir in car with News Limited journalists from US Open in 2000. Pic Glenn Hampson. Tennis Doki/fam

The former world number four hopes that by shining a light on what she endured it will pave the way for others to speak up and remove the stigma that still remains when talking about mental health.

“Let’s talk openly about the real issues in this world like mental health, suicide prevention, domestic violence, bullying and child abuse,” she wrote.

“The more we can remove the shame and stigma associated with it and the more we can have real and open conversations the more lives we can save.

“That’s why I have made it my mission to speak up and share my story.

“I have made it my mission to have a voice and not be silenced and to try and do the same for others.

“Let’s do it together because in numbers we are so much stronger.”

Dokic is set to release a second book later this year which will focus on her ongoing campaign against body shaming and her mental health struggles.

revealed a photo of the cover for her upcoming book, titled Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive, which will hit shelves in September